Mastodawn

Another late #Hackster round-up today, and I'm still waiting for two pieces to go live - but let's see what's already up for now.

First, it's a very special day today: the Sinclair #ZX81's 45th birthday. I've written a little potted history here, digging into the reference books in the office library - and decorated with pics of my very own ZX81, which I hand-soldered from the cheapskate kit edition.

https://www.hackster.io/news/microcomputing-on-the-cheap-the-sinclair-zx81-timex-sinclair-1000-turns-45-today-c1db84d49561

#Technology #News #VintageComputing #RetroComputing #ComputerHistory

Microcomputing on the Cheap: The Sinclair ZX81/Timex Sinclair 1000 Turns 45 Today

Launched as a more capable successor to the Sinclair ZX80 yet at a reduced cost, Sinclair's ZX81 made waves — and still attracts developers.

Hackster.io

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tallship Mar 6

@ghalfacree

On my side of the pond it was the "Timex Sinclair1000", which I have a small collection of. My father bought me the first one.

I've had an eBay alert running for several years once I discovered an actual keyboard manufactured especially for it (Memotech). in an old magazine ad. It was triggered once maybe ten years ago and I didn't win it. Grrrrr... Anything but those membrane keys. Please! lol.

https://www.timexsinclair.com/product/memotech-keyboard/index.html

Perhaps in your kit you've got some options available to you?

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Gareth Halfacree

@tallship No aftermarket keyboards in my collection, sadly - I just cheat: my ZX81 has a ZXpand module which takes SD Cards, so I can type programs up on a *nice* keyboard and easily transfer them!